What's happening
This bill requires the commissioner to implement a comprehensive contraband screening plan, including canine drug detection, searches, staff training, and annual reporting for correctional facilities.
Why it matters
Mandates more rigorous and standardized screening at correctional facilities. , which could reduce the flow of illegal drugs and other contraband, potentially improving safety for staff and incarcerated individuals.
Requires use of specially trained canine units and advanced search methods. (including metal detectors and visual/oral cavity searches), signaling a move toward more sophisticated, multi-layered detection strategies rather than relying on a single method.
Obligates ongoing staff training in contraband detection. , which may help ensure that correctional officers remain up-to-date with the latest techniques and technologies, possibly reducing human error or oversight.
Establishes annual reporting to the legislature. , increasing transparency and accountability regarding contraband screening effectiveness, and providing data that could inform future policy decisions or reforms.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Boost Prison Contraband Checks
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
19 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in correction
- Referred to correction
- Referred to correction
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Screening for Prison Contraband
In Senate Committee · Crime Victims, Crime And Correction · Sponsor Pamela Helming
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6318
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 5, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PALMESANO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to contraband screening at correctional facilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 112 of the correction law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
5. The commissioner shall establish a contraband screening plan which shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) the use of a leashed and controlled canine trained to detect illegal drugs at the entrance of each correctional facility at a minimum of twelve facilities per week, provided such minimum shall be recalculated by the commissioner if any correctional facilities are closed on a random but rotating basis to ensure all facilities are included;
(b) the search of visitors, correctional staff, bags and other items entering the facility which may include, but not be limited to, electronic searches, metal detectors, pat searches, visual searches of oral cavities, and any other legal technology at the commissioner's discretion; and
(c) the training of staff on up to date and current contraband screening procedures.
(d) The commissioner shall provide a copy of such contraband screening plan as well as the prior year's plan including but not limited to results of the canine assignments, number of attempts to promote contraband and the number of urine tests and their results conducted statewide by facilities to the legislature by December thirty-first each year.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04981-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.